Land Management Officer | Kangaroo Island

About AWC:

AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and providing hope for Australian wildlife. Guided by science, AWC delivers measurable conservation impacts at scale to secure the future of our most endangered species.

At AWC we are inspired by the unparalleled richness of Australia’s wildlife and we are united by our determination to protect its unique animals and landscapes. It is our mission to effectively conserve all Australian wildlife and habitats and our vision is for a world where Australia’s biodiversity is valued and effectively conserved by an engaged community. 

The delivery of AWC’s mission is highly reliant on all AWC working collaboratively with each other as a cohesive, engaged, collaborative, high performing group guided by strong, effective leaders. 

AWC’s work is guided by the following values. At AWC, we are:

• Accountable - taking ownership of our actions and outcomes
• Informed - working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience
• Respectful - demonstrating care, recognition and integrity 
• Dedicated - committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity
• Innovative - applying creative thinking for effective solutions
• Sustainable - delivering long-term financial and ecological viability. 

About the role:

Since the extensive wildfires during the summer of 2019/2020, AWC has been working with local conservation organisation, Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife (KILfW), and concerned landholders, to help protect the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart and other threatened species.

Covering 440,000 hectares, Kangaroo Island is a renowned biodiversity hotspot and natural haven for several threatened and endemic species, and is best known for its rugged landscapes and close encounters with native wildlife.

AWC and KILfW protected the Kangaroo Island Dunnart by establishing a safe haven within a feral cat-proof fence in the Western River area of Kangaroo Island. The refuge offers respite for many other fauna & flora recovering after the fires, including the Kangaroo Island Echidna, Bassian Thrush, Western Whipbird, Heath Monitor, Southern Emu-wren and Southern Brown Bandicoot.

AWC is seeking an experienced conservation land management practitioner to be based on Kangaroo Island, supporting the Kangaroo Island project in a range of conservation land management, asset, and infrastructure programs. The successful applicant, with the guidance and support of the Operations Manager, will be responsible for delivering the day-to-day activities.  As such, the candidate will require knowledge of and be able to demonstrate experience in delivering land management programs, including feral animal control, weed, and fire management. 

The Land Management Officer covers a broad range of tasks, including asset and infrastructure maintenance. As such, practical skills with asset and infrastructure repair and maintenance, and the ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment are essential. 

You will need to be capable of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including private landholders, land managers, scientists, students, volunteers, visitors, neighbouring landholders, and government officials. 

Critical competencies:

1. A broad knowledge of trades (building, mechanical, fencing, plumbing, welding & electrical) is desirable, including the ability to carry out routine tasks and maintenance.
2. Demonstrated practical skills in relation to asset and infrastructure repair and maintenance, including skills relevant to:
   • Implementation of the approved asset and infrastructure maintenance program (building, fencing, roads, etc).
   • Ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment including carrying out routine mechanical repairs to:
     • 4WDs, all-terrain vehicles, backhoes, tractors, etc.
     • Small motor maintenance: Generators, pumps etc, and
     • Power tools, including chainsaws, welders, etc.
     • Firearms
     • Fire-fighting and weed-spraying equipment
   • General infrastructure projects including construction, earthworks, fencing and building.
3. Knowledge of practical land management programs, including:
   • Fire management;
   • Weed control programs; and
   • Feral animal control programs. 
4. Understanding of and interest in Australian ecology and conservation issues.
5. Excellent stakeholder engagement and people management skills, including staff and contractor management and volunteer supervision 
6. Understanding of ecological research and experience (desirable) with field techniques.
7. Demonstrated planning and organisational skills, including an ability to prioritise and execute a large number of tasks efficiently.
8. The ability to improvise and problem-solve, developing practical solutions with limited resources.
9. Willingness and ability to work as part of a small team or independently without supervision.
10. Ability to use standard business software packages (Excel, Word and email) is essential.
11. Experience of working and living in a rural/remote area.

Qualifications:

1. Relevant trade/ TAFE qualification (desirable).
2. Practical experience in delivering ‘on-ground’ results and a willingness to turn a hand to most tasks will be highly regarded over formal qualifications.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

1. A current valid Australian (or internationally recognised) manual driver’s licence, with experience in 4WD/off-road conditions, is essential
2. Experience (and relevant licences) in operating agricultural machinery such as tractors and backhoes (desirable)
3. Bushfire control training and experience (desirable)
4. Current first aid certificate, senior and/or remote first aid (desirable)
5. Firearms experience and current licence (desirable)
6. National police clearance certificate

PLEASE NOTE: This role is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract based at Kangaroo Island. 

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Land Management Officer | Kangaroo Island